How is living in Japan as a foreign family?

[Mac_Jay]

@Brianjones

Any numbers on that ?

Numbers on Tokyo have more foreign professionals than Taipei or the number of foreign professionals in Taiwan growing (or both)?

[Mac_Jay]

One in ten Tokyoites in their 20s are now foreigners - Nikkei Asia

This article shows that the numbers in Tokyo are growing. I can’t find any actual numbers on Taipei. Honestly, I’m mostly basing it on seeing more and more foreign professionals around where I work in east section.

[tando]

@DKaoshuing

Also Japan is big(er) country , so there are differences in the regions and thinking.

my possible destination is Saitama or Kobe. Some people say they are fairly big cities, so not very different from living in Taipei or Tokyo. Somehow like living in New taipei or Taichung or Kaohsiung. True?

Thinking on kids, I am not very positive to move to Japan, but have a few interest in it.

[DKaoshuing]

486,346 foreign people are staying in Tokyo as of 2017 January. The following data show foreign resident populations by their nationalities. (I guess not all “professional”)

http://nbakki.hatenablog.com/entry/Foreign_Population_by_Nationality_in_Tokyo_as_of_2017

[tando]

I found foreign population in Santana is about 2%. The machine translation is funny.

https://translation2.j-server.com/LUCSAIPREF/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/a0306/keikakutoukei/h-29-6toukei.html?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XPARAM=keyword,&XCHARSET=utf-8&XPORG=,&XJSID=0

[Taiwan_Luthiers]

In 2014 when I left for the states there were definitely more foreigners than in 2004. When I came back to Taiwan earlier this year, the number of foreigners basically exploded. I see a LOT of foreigners all over Taipei, not just in “foreigner” areas (Tianmu and all that). Also, in Ximen I see lots of tourists. A lot of the foreigners I see in Taiwan aren’t necessarily non Asians, lots of Koreans and Japanese as well.

You can see this in those Taipei buy/sell facebook groups too, lots of entries there.

[Dr_Milker]

@tando

I found foreign population in Santana is about 2%.

I’m pretty sure all the members are American except for Chepito Areas.

[Uncreativeusername]

@DKaoshuing

Besides Tokyo, an interesting place is Niesko near Sapporo. I big Aussie outpost, so much so Qantas will fly to Sapporo.

I’ve never heard of this. What attracts them there?

[KHHville]

@Uncreativeusername

@DKaoshuing

Besides Tokyo, an interesting place is Niesko near Sapporo. I big Aussie outpost, so much so Qantas will fly to Sapporo.

I’ve never heard of this. What attracts them there?

[Mac_Jay]

@Taiwan_Luthiers

In 2014 when I left for the states there were definitely more foreigners than in 2004. When I came back to Taiwan earlier this year, the number of foreigners basically exploded. I see a LOT of foreigners all over Taipei, not just in “foreigner” areas (Tianmu and all that). Also, in Ximen I see lots of tourists. A lot of the foreigners I see in Taiwan aren’t necessarily non Asians, lots of Koreans and Japanese as well.

You can see this in those Taipei buy/sell facebook groups too, lots of entries there.

Based on the eye test, I definitely agree. Tianmu has always had a lot of foreigners, but you can go to pretty much any neighborhood in Taipei and see a lot of foreigners (and even in a lot of NTC neighborhoods).

[DKaoshuing]

@Uncreativeusername

@DKaoshuing

Besides Tokyo, an interesting place is Niesko near Sapporo. I big Aussie outpost, so much so Qantas will fly to Sapporo.

I’ve never heard of this. What attracts them there?

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g321549-d1377994-r95621512-Niseko_Village_Ski_Resort-Niseko_cho_Abuta_gun_Hokkaido.html

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-australia-niseko-idUSSP27388620080613

[Brianjones]

@Mac_Jay

can go to pretty much any neighborhood in Taipei and see a lot of foreigners (and even in a lot of NTC neighborhoods)

Don’t agree, I’ve lived all over NTC and many have very few foreigners in reality. The odd few just stick out like sore thumbs!
I also work in the commercial district of Taipei, foreigners are very few in number.

[KHHville]

there are way too many foreigners in Forumosa

[Andrew0409]

I think as an adult, you’ll be fine.

But I think your children might have a hard time. And it depends on their own personalities as well. You know how kids care about being accepted and fitting in. I’ve been told negative experiences with going to school as a foreigner. Perhaps you can find some parents who can tell you more.

[Baxter]

In your shoes I wouldn’t consider any other option than sending my kids to an international school. Sending a foreigner kid to a 100% Japanese school is temptation to all sorts of bullying.

As for living in Japan, after two years there I can say, as long as you don’t have the “your stupid yellow rules don’t apply to me” attitude you’ll be fine. Same as Taiwan tho, you’ll meet a lot of bitter foreigners who didn’t try to adapt to or understand the country.

[eCanada]

@Baxter

Same as Taiwan tho, you’ll meet a lot of bitter foreigners who didn’t try to adapt to or understand the country.

Hmm. No one on forumosa falls into this category

[anon96115109]

Tokyo is a great place to live. Was there for 2 years. Agree with @Andrew that there may be some issues in schools but day to day it’s a dynamic fun place.

One big difference is in Japan if you go out of your way to learn the language its possible to break through the us/them barrier and make deeper friendships with locals. Get drunk at the izakaya with a crew a few times.

No more or less xenophobic than TW just depends on your attitude. Also music scene is way better. Better foreign restaurants. Art.

Japan is a great place to live as an expat or w a mixed family if you make an effort to respect the culture.

[anon96115109]

Not at all

[Brianjones]

I work with a lot of Japanese people for years. Very very stubborn and the most uncooperative colleagues in the entire world possibly ! Whether they are xenophobic or not beneath it…Since they never tell you their thoughts who knows.

Also Tokyo is the only place I’ve been refused service multiple times (only when no Japanese colleagues with me).

[anon96115109]

Dunno. I worked there and had a great experience. Luck of the draw I guess.